Black Caps: Smith Targets Australian Series
After a career-best tour of England, the all-rounder prepares for upcoming matches in India and Australia.
By Petra Murphy ·
Nathan Smith has played in five countries during 2026, a schedule that will intensify as New Zealand’s home summer commences. The 28-year-old North Otago cricketer has completed a full year of international cricket that included Test and One Day International fixtures at home and abroad.
Smith’s season began with matches against England and the West Indies at home. He then traveled to Bangladesh earlier in the year, where he made his T20 international debut and played three additional ODIs. The tour continued in Ireland for the historic four-day Test, the first meeting between the two teams in that format. Smith contributed to New Zealand’s 2-1 Test series victory over England away from home, followed by three ODIs in the Caribbean against the West Indies.
The England tour provided Smith’s career peak. He was named player of the series and recorded figures of 6/70 in the first Test at Lord’s. His name was added to the honours board in gold for that performance. Smith, a Waitaki Boys’ High School alumnus, described the moment as the highlight of his cricketing career. He also received the ICC player of the month award for June after taking 24 wickets at an average of 19.20 across four Tests.
Smith attributed his performance to a combination of physical fitness and a bowling plan that suited the conditions. He noted that the ball softened during the middle periods of the matches, which aligned with his skill set of hitting the top of off stump and bowling straight. He had bowled in four Tests over four weeks, starting with the Ireland series, which helped maintain his rhythm despite fatigue.
The Black Caps are currently playing a T20 series against India, with the fourth and fifth matches scheduled for tonight and Sunday. An ODI series begins on Wednesday. Five ODIs and two Tests remain on the home schedule.
The team will then travel to Australia for four Tests, including the Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Smith expressed a desire to be in the playing XI for that fixture. He referred to playing at Lord’s and the MCG within six months as a dream year, noting that the Australian summer represents the pinnacle for many players.
